Kate Middleton’s bare baby bump–shown in her bikini–has made its way to America–in a four-page spread in Star magazine. How will Queen Elizabeth react to this news?

According to a report from Hollywood Life, the Italian gossip mag Chi was first to publish the photos–even after a palace spokesman called such publication a ‘breach of privacy.’

“We are disappointed that photographs of the Duke and Duchess on a private holiday look likely to be published overseas,” a St. James’ Palace spokesman says. “This is a clear breach of the couple’s right to privacy.”

Now that the photos have hit the U.S., it’s simply a matter of time before they make their way around the world. And why shouldn’t they? Why do the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William deserve special privileges that no other celebrity is allowed?

In this world of digital imagery anything (or anyone) is fair game. If people don’t want to be photographed, perhaps they should just stay home.

There is an upside to this supposed debacle, you know. If all celebrities–including Kate Middleton–realize they’re likely to be photographed at any given time, perhaps they will all remain on their very best behavior. Okay, so maybe that will apply to Kate–but what about people like Lindsay Lohan or Justin Bieber?

Point taken.

You can check out a shot of the Star magazine spread of the Duchess of Cambridge in her bikini–her tiny baby bump front and center–by clicking on the Hollywood Life link above.